WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Medication/Chemical Abortion
The Abortion Pill
- Ru-486 starves the new life of nutrients by blocking progesterone. (This method becomes less effective the further
along you are and may require additional surgical procedure to complete the abortion.) - After 48 hours, take Misoprostol which allows your body to expel the new life.
- After 1-2 weeks, a doctor will ensure all new life was expelled.
Vacuum Aspiration
- Cervix is dilated with metal rods or laminaria.
- Suction catheter or vacuum aspirator is used to remove the new life tissue.
Dilation & Curettage (D&C)
- Cervix is dilated with metal rods or laminaria.
- A curettage is used to scrape the uterus wall remove the new life tissue.
Have you taken the abortion pill in the last 48 hours but now you’ve changed your mind? Call 877-558-0333
Surgical Abortion (After 14 weeks)
Dilation & Curettage (D&C)
- Cervix is dilated 1-2 days before abortion using metal rods or luminaria. (The cervix must be opened wider because
of the size of the growing new life.) - Forceps used to remove the new life part by part and an ultrasound guides the instruments.
- A curettage is used to scrape the uterus.
Intact D&E (Intact Dilation and Evacuation or Partial-Birth Abortion)—After 20 weeks
- Digoxin and potassium chloride are injected into the amniotic fluid, the fetal umbilical cord, or into the fetal heart in
order to cause death to the new life. - Cervix is dilated enough to remove the new life feet first. (Often, the new life skull is too large to pass through the
cervix. A sharp instrument is used to make an incision at the base of the skull to provide access to the brain. Brain tissue is
then suctioned out, collapsing the skull. After this, the intact new life can be removed.)
*Choices offers medically accurate information about pregnancy options. We do not perform or refer to abortion providers.
This information should never substitute professional medical advice between you and your doctor.
Abortion Risks
Physical Risks – The more times a surgeon passes through the cervix with a surgical instrument, the more potential for complications.
- excessive bleeding
- infection
- tear of uterus or cervix
- incomplete abortion
- complications with future pregnancies
Emotional Risks – At first, you may feel relief because your crisis pregnancy is over. But many women will also experience
depression, irritability or exhaustion, frequent crying, guilt, anger, nightmares, thoughts of suicide, and more. These emotions
can follow immediately after an abortion or many years later.
*Choices is here to offer support to all women after their abortions and walk with them no matter what. Please call us if
you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

We do not perform or refer abortion.
Call Us: 540-370-1800
Text Us: 540-693-0255
10008 Southpoint Parkway, Suite #105
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Monday: Appointment Only
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: Appointment Only